Phylogeny of <i>Opuntia</i> s.s. (Cactaceae): Clade delineation, geographic origins, and reticulate evolution

Abstract

Opuntia s.s. is a well-supported clade that includes Nopalea. The clade originated in southwestern SA, but the NA radiation was the most extensive, resulting in broad morphological diversity and frequent species formation through reticulate evolution and polyploidy.